Course and Event Calendar

Speech Writing

“I need to make a speech!” Six little words that can make for a terrible week. But there is a way to survive – and even thrive – through the ultimate writing challenge.

Drawing on two decades of experience in ministerial offices and government departments, Dennis Glover delivers a masterclass on the qualities and rich potential of a great public speech. As one of Australia’s most accomplished public sector speechwriters, Dennis will help you research, write and deliver a speech that is at once authoritative, informative, persuasive and compelling.

What will you learn?

IPAA Victoria’s speech writing course has gained plaudits across the public sector for its ability to distil the art of writing an eloquent and memorable speech into a practical, personal and ultimately enjoyable half-day tutorial.

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

Write a convincing and entertaining speech that combines thought-provoking arguments with hard-hitting facts

Understand individual speakers and audiences – and the way they interact

Assess the right tone, content and length of speech for a specific audience

Write a strong opening, a cohesive narrative, and a memorable conclusion

Identify compelling facts and figures to back up your arguments

Avoid clumsy jargon, weak jokes, and other speech writing ‘traps’

Write a speech that another person will be comfortable giving.

What should you expect?

This practical, activity-based course offers an intensive three-hour tutorial on the finer arts of researching, writing, reviewing and delivering a speech. It includes videos, readings from great speeches by participants, and a practical writing exercise.

Drawing on examples from the great speeches we all know – from Churchill’s ‘Fight on the beaches’, to JFK’s ‘Ask not…’ and Noel Pearson’s rousing eulogy for Gough Whitlam – Dennis draws on the eloquence and influence of legendary orators to help participants understand the critical ingredients of a great speech. The core of the course focuses on 10 ‘must-have’ elements of a powerful speech – from a connection with the audience, to appropriate emotion, irrefutable facts, and an unforgettable conclusion.

As well as his regular courses at IPAA’s head office, Dennis can tailor tutorials to the needs and topics of specific public sector audiences – and deliver them in your own offices. In order to ensure effective one-on-one tuition, numbers are strictly limited to 10 participants.

Who is the facilitator?

Dennis Glover has worked as a policy advisor and speech-writer on the staff of Kim Beazley, Simon Crean, Mark Latham, Julia Gillard and Wayne Swan, and has written speeches for many other ministers and opposition leaders at federal and state levels. He currently writes speeches for government, business and community leaders across Australia.

Dennis is the author of several books, including The Last Man in Europe: A Novel (Black Inc. 2017), An Economy is not a society: Winners and losers in the new Australia (Black Inc. August 2015), and Orwell’s Australia (Scribe 2003). His textbook, The Art of Great Speeches (CUP 2011), is widely used in universities around the world.

Pricing

Individual

Non-Member $808.00

Personal Member $646.40

Fellow $484.80

Corporate

Bronze $646.40

Silver $606.00

Gold $565.60

Platinum $484.80

All prices are GST inclusive

Who Should Attend?

This course will help anyone in the public sector who may be called upon to write a speech – from executives delivering an oration or a keynote lecture, to departmental speechwriters, communications managers, or municipal officers preparing speaking notes for councillors or mayors.

Please call us to inquire about last minute spots!

PLATINUM MEMBERS are encouraged to use their COMPLIMENTARY PLACES Contact us for more information.